People
Alana Nelson, CFO/COO and co-owner of Fire Mountain Solar of Mount Vernon, has been elected treasurer of the newly formed professional business association, Solar Installers of Washington. Nelson founded the Skagit Solar Tour in 2001, which expanded in 2013 to include Snohomish County. Over the past 12 years, she has taught numerous classes and workshops on solar energy.
Skagit State Bank announced that Dennis Boe joined the bank as vice president and residential real estate manager on Dec. 30. A lifetime resident of Skagit County, Boe has 28 years’ experience in mortgage lending. He is now based at Skagit State Bank’s Home Loan Center at 1575 S. Burlington Blvd. in Burlington.
Good deeds: Almost 500 children in Snohomish County will be warmer because of a coat drive sponsored by Integrated Rehabilitation Services of Mill Creek and the nonprofit coat drive organization One Warm Coat. Integrated Rehabilitation Services clinics kept a box or barrel for donations during the month of December. Clothes For Kids of Snohomish County will distribute the coats to local needy children.
Events
Foggy Noggin Brewing will be at the FishTale Pub in Everett from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday for a special Brewer’s Night. The brewery will be featuring a few of their special beers and some items for raffle. More information about Foggy Noggin Brewing is at www.foggynogginbrewing.com.
An art show fundraiser for Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop has its opening night from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday at Cafe Zippy, 2811 Wetmore Ave., Everett. The art show runs from Saturday through Feb. 12. A portion of all sales supports Sharing Wheels, a nonprofit Everett bike shop which connects unused bikes to people who need them.
Business and key leaders in Snohomish County will gather to hear Everett mayor Ray Stephanson present his annual “2014 State of Everett” address from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Jan. 30. The event is at the Everett Golf &Country Club, 1500 52nd St. SE in Everett. Economic Alliance Snohomish County Investor price for the event is $30. Non-Investor price is $40.
Classes, workshops and webinars
Emergency Services Coordinating Agency is offering community emergency response team training to local people starting Wednesday and concluding on March 5. Trained CERT members have the option to become part of a volunteer disaster response team that may deploy with professional responders. To register, contact Vickie Fontaine at 425-776-3722 or vickie@esca1.com
The U.S. Small Business Administration will present Not Just Contracts: The SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program. The first part of this free, two-part webinar series is at 11 a.m. Wednesday. The second webinar will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 22. Register at tinyurl.com/notjustcontracts.
Sultan mayor Carolyn Eslick will host a free business workshop on entrepreneurial planning. The workshop will be from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Friday in the Sultan Visitors Information Center, 320 Main St. There is limited space available. Budding entrepreneurs are encouraged to contact the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce at 360-793-0983 or email debbie@skyvalleyvic.net for reservations or information.
Announcements
Share your thoughts about Everett’s future and Comprehensive Plan update by completing the survey at tinyurl.com/mhn4cbr. This information will be used by city staff, the Planning Commission and the City Council to help make decisions about Everett’s future. Deadline to respond is Wednesday. For more information, call 425-257-8731.
The Washington Agriculture and Forestry Education Foundation is actively seeking qualified candidates for up to 24 fellowships in Class 37 of its leadership program. People involved in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries or related industries are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is April 30. More information is at www.agforestry.org.
The Women’s Wellness Center, a nonprofit affordable women’s fitness center in downtown Everett, has added new classes. TruBarre is a full body workout with a foundation based on pilates. Group personal training is a drop-in class. Beginning Jan. 20, the center will expand hours. For more information and a full list of classes and services, go online at www.womenswellnesscenter.org.
United Way of Snohomish County released its legislative priorities with a focus on early learning, food and nutrition, housing and homelessness, and support for seniors. The announcement came as legislators prepared to meet in Olympia for the start of the 2014 legislative session on Jan. 13. United Ways of Washington, an umbrella group that brings together United Ways from across the state, will hold its annual Lobby Day on Feb. 13.
Better Business Bureau reminds fans that counterfeit Seattle Seahawks gear currently flooding the market may be inexpensive, but the value and quality is often poor and purchases divert funds away from legitimate organizations. Buy merchandise from official team stores and authorized retailers when possible. If prices seem too good to be true, products are most likely fake.
In an effort to reduce toxic chemicals in products, Washington state has partnered with eight other states through Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse to publish a guide for companies interested in finding safer alternatives to potentially harmful chemicals. Alternatives assessment is a process that helps companies make more informed product choices. The guide is available online at tinyurl.com/n733cfl.
The Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises have announced the statewide Get Certified campaign intended to help more women- and minority-owned businesses win contracts with state and local governments. The campaign will launch during the newly declared Minority and Women-owned Business Week Jan. 20 to 24. For more information, visit www.getcertifiednw.com.
Residents across Washington can now see where their tax dollars are being spent on capital and transportation projects through a new online map. The map allows constituents to choose their county or legislative district or to simply click on the statewide map to see details of capital and transportation projects. Go online at fiscal.wa.gov/WebMaps.aspx.
According to the Colliers International real estate report for the fourth quarter 2013, the Puget Sound north end industrial market finished strong in 2013. The south Everett and Woodinville submarkets performed the best. The forecast for the north end Industrial market is that rental rates will remain close to current levels in the immediate future.
The Washington Council on International Trade and its members — manufacturers, retailers, farmers, ranchers and service providers — have welcomed the introduction of bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority legislation and urged Congress to act quickly on it. The legislation provides direction on Congress’ priorities and negotiating objectives for the country’s trade agreements, increasing the accountability and transparency of the trade policy agenda.
